The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll

Star Review

Having ploughed their way through Dracula and Frankenstein, it was only a matter of time before Hammer tackled Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

As ever, Henry Jekyll is a dedicated man of science who develops a potion that frees his darker impulses. As Edward Hyde, he discovers the pleasurable world of vice and sin; but such temptations are addictive and carry a heavy price.

Wold Mankowitz's superb script twists this familiar tale into some interesting new directions. It isn't just the dual nature of mankind that's put under the microscope but the hypocrisy of society, how 'respectable' Victorian gentlemen spend their evenings in sordid flesh pots.

Unusually – but very effectively – Hyde is portrayed not as a simian brute but as youthful and virile. Paul Massie acquits himself well in the role, as he does with the reclusive Jekyll, but it's Christopher Lee who steals the show as a dissolute libertine.

Beautifully designed and shot – attributes showcased on this DVD – this is amongst the very best of the many riffs on Stevenson's tale.

James Oliver on 30th September 2009
View all 57 of James Oliver's reviews

Film Description

Paul Massie takes the role of Jekyll and Hyde in this version of Robert Louis Stevenson, adapted by Wolf Mankowitz. Christopher Lee plays Jekyll's seedy, gambling-addicted friend. A little-seen gem from the golden days of Hammer Studios.

Availability

To be released February 10th 2010. Despatched from Guernsey. Delivery times

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Film Details

Cast

Christopher Lee, David Kossoff, Paul Massie

Technical Details